If you're trying to get in better shape or just live healthier overall, your Smartphone can be an immensely helpful tool. (Let’s take a moment to thank the illustrious Steve Jobs for allowing that development.) If you enjoy sharing your workouts with your friends or just need some additional accountability, most fitness apps allow you to post to Facebook and Twitter. Here are our top five picks for free to low-cost apps that are designed for people of all fitness levels:

1. Nike Training Club: This free app is like having your own personal trainer in your pocket. Once you are logged in, you will be able to download a workout, which includes detailed step-by-step instructions, audio guidance, and video demonstrations. The training workouts range from 15 to 45 minutes and are performed by professional athletes. You can even set the workouts to your playlists from your music library.

2. Hundred PushUps: This app claims that anyone can master 100 consecutive pushups in six weeks. For $1.99 and 30 minutes per week, you will receive a daily progressive push up program. Even if you are unable to complete 100, just think how toned and tight your arms and core will be from trying.

3. Gymboss: This free programmable timer is perfect for HIIT (high intensity interval training), weightlifting, and Tabata intervals. It beeps once for recovery and multiple times for the work phase, which is helpful if you don’t want to hold on to your phone while exercising.

4. AllTrails: A free app for all of you hikers, mountain bikers, and fly fishers. This app tracks your hikes with your phone’s GPS and ncludes routes, topographic maps, reviews, and driving directions.

5. RunKeeper: This free app also uses your phone’s GPS technology to track fitness activity, such as how far you traveled, how long it took, your pace, speed, calories burned, and much more.

Do you have any other great mobile fitness or health apps that you love? Let us know in the comments.

Jennifer Adams is a nationally certified personal trainer and exercise instructor who has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. She is the owner of Sand N Sea Fitness in Santa Cruz and is a practicing attorney. Contact her at
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Comments (2)

...written by Jennifer,
October 19, 2011

Hi Louis,

I had never heard of Fleetly until I read your comment. I LOVE it and would highly recommend it as my 6th favorite fitness app. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Best, Jennifer Adams

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...written by Louis DeNicola,
October 18, 2011

Hi Jennifer, I'm a UCSC alum living in NYC. I work with a startup, Fleetly, that I think you should consider including in your list. We've created a free iPhone app, as well as a website, to engage people in their fitness. We do this by providing a platform for them to : • Join challenges at all different levels which gets users competing with each other and provides a basis for social interaction and engaged discussion. • View a points-based leaderboards to track standings and further enhance the competitive spirit. • Create custom workouts incorporating goals, available time and equipment. • View their Fitness Level, an estimate of overall fitness which has become a social currency in the discussions: users can easily compare with friends. • Easily track and share of workouts, which provides a further basis for discussion.

Take a look at www.fleetly.com, or download the app for free. Enjoy, Louis DeNicola

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